Protests over mental health clinic closures erupt in Irving Park

Irving Park neighborhood residents got a surprise awakening as protesters converged this morning to oppose the closing of mental health clinics in Chicago.

Groups associated with the clinics, as well as members of Occupy Chicago, stood in solidarity at the Irving Park brown line stop before holding a rally at Horner Park. Some groups of people also went door-to-door delivering fliers and attempting to inform Emanuel's neighbors about his policies.

At 1pm, the activists marched to Mayor Rahm Emanuel's house.

"I can't believe for such a little amount of money they [the city] would cause such a huge problem," said Polyana Wolf, a protester and Chicago resident. "They're literally shutting the doors on people, abandoning them."

Wolf also argued that sending people to other clinics burdens patients and therapists who have to pick up more cases as a result. This will prevent people in need from getting proper care, she added.

"I hope the man has some shame," she said of Mayor Emanuel. "I hope he cares at all about his public image."

"They just think they can do what they want with us," said protester Barbara L, who did not want to disclose her full last name. "For them, it's just about divide and conquer."